Flexible lighting system with conductive adhesive backing for mounting on a grounded surface of a vehicle

ABSTRACT

Embodiments disclose systems and methods associated with flexible lights. More particularly, embodiments relate to flexible lights with a conductive adhesive backing layer and a durable rubber layer, wherein LEDs are embedded into the durable rubber layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims a benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 toProvisional Application No. 62/304,357 filed on Mar. 7, 2016, which isfully incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Field of the Disclosure

Examples of the present disclosure are related to systems and methodsfor flexible lights. More particularly, embodiments relate to flexiblelights with a conductive adhesive backing layer and a durable rubberlayer, wherein light emitting diodes (LEDs) are embedded within thedurable rubber layer.

Background

Generally, a trailer is an unpowered vehicle towed by a powered vehicle.Trailers are used for a variety of purposes. For example, trailers areused to transport goods, habitation, transport vehicles, etc. A trailertypically has a shared lighting system with the powered vehicle, suchthat when the powered vehicle's lights are enabled, the correspondinglights on the trailer are enabled.

However, lights on trailers generally break or crack easily. Thesebroken lights can be difficult to replace and require mounting onto thetrailer. Even if one were to replace the lights on trailers, the qualityof replacement lights is poor. These replacement lights are generallymade of hard fragile plastic with a single bulb. If the single bulb onthe replacement light breaks, it is required to once again replace thelights on the trailer. Replacing a light on a trailer while travelinglong distances can be a hazard and an annoying task to complete.

Accordingly, needs exist for more effective and efficient systems andmethods for flexible lights configured to be coupled to an outer surfaceof a vehicle without requiring the lights to be mounted within thevehicle.

SUMMARY

Embodiments disclose systems and methods associated with flexiblelights. More particularly, embodiments relate to flexible lights with aconductive adhesive backing layer and a durable rubber layer, whereinLEDs are embedded into the durable rubber layer. The LEDs may bepositioned in parallel to each other, and receive power from a singlewire extending from a sidewall of the durable rubber layer, and begrounded via internal wiring within the durable rubber layer and theconductive adhesive backing. The flexible lights may be configured to bebent, curved, folded, etc. and adhere to an external surface, such as anexternal surface of a vehicle or trailer.

Embodiments may include a first power input, the durable rubber layer,and the conductive adhesive backing layer.

The first power input may be configured to be coupled with wiring withinthe durable rubber layer and an external power supply. In embodiments,the external power supply may be a battery of a vehicle. Additionally,the first power input may also be configured to be coupled with thelights of the powered vehicle. Thus, when a corresponding light of thepowered vehicle is enabled, a corresponding flexible light may beenabled.

The durable rubber layer may be comprised of flexible polymers that mayact as an insulator for power supplied to the flexible lights. Thedurable rubber layer may include internal wiring and a plurality oflights. The internal wiring may include a plurality of interconnectedrows and/or columns of wires. The interconnected wires may beelectrically coupled to the power source and the conductive adhesivebacking. Each row of each column may include an LED. The LEDs may beembedded within the durable rubber layer such that a bottom surface ofan LED is positioned above the bottom surface of the durable rubberlayer, and a top surface of the LED is positioned below the top surfaceof the durable rubber layer. Therefore, each of the LEDs may be fullyencompassed by the durable rubber layer.

By having a plurality of LEDs in parallel to each other embedded withinthe durable rubber layer, the flexible lights will be fault tolerant.Thus, the flexible lights may be operable even if one or two of theembedded LEDs is inoperable. Additionally, the durable rubber layer mayreduce impact from objects striking the embedded LEDs.

The conductive adhesive backing layer may be a pressure sensitiveadhesive with isotropic electricity conductivity. The conductiveadhesive backing layer may be configured to adhere to a surface whileallowing for an interconnection between various types of substrates. Theconductive adhesive wiring may be positioned under an entirety of thedurable rubber layer. The conductive adhesive backing layer may becoupled with the interconnected rows and columns of the wiring withinthe durable rubber layer. In embodiments, the conductive adhesivebacking layer may be configured to adhere to an exterior surface of atrailer, which may be grounded. Through the grounded, conductiveadhesive backing, the LEDs embedded within the durable rubber layer maybe constantly grounded without needed an extra, external wire.

To this end, the flexible light system may only need a single exposedwire to couple with the vehicle's power source to operate. Furthermore,because the conductive adhesive backing layer may adhere to an externalsurface of the trailer, it may not be required to bolt or mount theflexible lighting system onto the trailer.

These, and other, aspects of the invention will be better appreciatedand understood when considered in conjunction with the followingdescription and the accompanying drawings. The following description,while indicating various embodiments of the invention and numerousspecific details thereof, is given by way of illustration and not oflimitation. Many substitutions, modifications, additions orrearrangements may be made within the scope of the invention, and theinvention includes all such substitutions, modifications, additions orrearrangements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention aredescribed with reference to the following figures, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsunless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of flexible light system, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2 depicts a top view of flexible light system, according to anembodiment.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding componentsthroughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans willappreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicityand clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example,the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements to help to improve understanding of variousembodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understoodelements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasibleembodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a lessobstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the present embodiments. Itwill be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art thatthe specific detail need not be employed to practice the presentembodiments. In other instances, well-known materials or methods havenot been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the presentembodiments.

Embodiments disclose systems and methods associated with flexiblelights. More particularly, embodiments relate to flexible lights with aconductive adhesive backing layer and a durable rubber layer, whereinLEDs are embedded into the durable rubber layer.

Turning now to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of flexible lightsystem 100. Flexible light system 100 may be comprised of pliablematerials with embedded LEDs, wherein flexible light system 100 isconfigured to be adhered to an exterior surface of a trailer. Flexiblelight system 100 may include a first power input 110, conductiveadhesive backing/layer 130, and durable rubber layer 120.

First power input 110 may be electrical wiring configured to receivepower from an external power source, such as the external power supplyof a powered vehicle. The external power source may be configured topower the flexible light system. First power input 110 may be configuredto be coupled with wiring within the durable rubber layer 120 and theexternal power supply. First power input 110 may also be configured tobe coupled with the lights of the powered vehicle, such that when acorresponding light of the powered vehicle is enabled, lights within theflexible light system may also be enabled. In embodiments, first powerinput 110 may be coupled to a single edge or sidewall of durable rubberlayer 120, wherein first power input 110 is connected to internal wiring122 at a position below the top surface of durable rubber layer 120.This may minimize the amount of exposed wiring caused by first powerinput 110. In embodiments, first power input 110 may be configured tocouple with a positive connection of an external power source via asimple hand clamp.

Durable rubber layer 120 may be comprised of flexible polymers that mayact as an insulator for electricity flowing through flexible lightsystem 100. Durable rubber layer 120 may be comprised of non-conductivematerial. Durable rubber layer 120 may be configured to be positionedaway from an exterior surface of a trailer or vehicle, such that durablerubber layer 120 is not directly positioned against the trailer orvehicle. Durable rubber layer 120 may be configured to be positioneddirectly adjacent to conductive adhesive backing layer 130.

Durable rubber layer 120 may include internal wiring 122 and a pluralityof lights 124. Internal wiring 122 may include a plurality ofinterconnected rows and/or columns of wires embedded within durablerubber layer, such that internal wiring is not exposed to the elements.Interconnected wires 122 may be electrically coupled to the power sourcevia first power input 110 and conductive adhesive backing 130.

Each row of each column may include an LED 124 or multiple LEDs. TheLEDs 124 may be embedded within durable rubber layer 120, such that abottom surface of an LED 124 is positioned above the bottom surface ofdurable rubber layer 120, and a top surface of the LED 124 is positionedbelow the top surface of durable rubber layer 120. By having a pluralityof LEDs 124 embedded within durable rubber layer 120 positioned inparallel to each other, flexible light system 100 may be fault tolerant,wherein flexible light system 100 may be operable even if one or more ofthe embedded LEDs 124 is inoperable.

Conductive adhesive backing layer 130 may be a pressure sensitiveadhesive with isotropic electricity conductivity. Conductive adhesivebacking layer 130 may be configured to be positioned directly underneathdurable rubber layer 120. Conductive adhesive backing layer 130 may havesubstantially the same height, width, and length as durable rubber layer120. Conductive adhesive backing layer 130 may be configured to adhereto a surface allow for an interconnection between various types ofsubstrates. For example, conductive adhesive backing layer 130 may beconfigured to be positioned on an exterior surface of a trailer. Inembodiments, conductive adhesive backing layer 130 may have a removablepeel and stick layer positioned underneath conductive adhesive backinglayer 130. Responsive to removing the peel and stick layer, conductiveadhesive backing layer 130 may be adhered to a surface. When conductiveadhesive backing layer 130 is adhered to the trailer or vehicle, thetotal surface area of conductive adhesive backing layer 130 may begrounded.

Conductive adhesive backing layer 130 may be comprised of a flexiblematerial that includes materials that may adhere to surfaces whilemaintaining conductive. Internal wiring 122 may be configured to extendthrough durable rubber layer 120 and contact conductive adhesive backinglayer 130 to complete a circuit. As such, internal wiring 122 maytraverse a boundary between durable rubber layer 120 and conductiveadhesive backing 130 to form a circuit. The internal wiring 122 mayextend from conductive adhesive backing 130 to the circuit in a positionthat is between LEDs 130. Accordingly, each separate row of internalwiring 122 may be directly coupled to ground via conductive adhesivebacking 130. In embodiments, the conductive adhesive backing layer 130may be configured to adhere to a grounded surface. Therefore, anelectrical circuit formed by system 100 may only require a singleexternal wire 110 for power, while the circuit is grounded viainterconnected wires 122 and conductive adhesive backing layer 130.

FIG. 2 depicts a top view of flexible light system 100. Elementsdepicted in FIG. 2 may be substantially the same as those describedabove. For the sake of brevity, a further description of these items isomitted.

As depicted In FIG. 2, a plurality of LEDs 212, 214, 216 may be embeddedwithin durable rubber layer 120. By having a plurality of LEDs 212, 214,216 if a single LED is rendered inoperable, flexible light system 100may still have other operable LEDs, and thus be functional. Furthermore,as depicted in FIG. 2, the plurality of LEDs 212, 214, 216 may bearranged in a series and may be horizontally and vertically offset fromeach other. Accordingly, if an external object contacts flexible lightsystem 100 it is less likely that the object damages each and every LED212, 214, 216.

Although the present technology has been described in detail for thepurpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be themost practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understoodthat such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology isnot limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, isintended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that arewithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it isto be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to theextent possible, one or more features of any implementation can becombined with one or more features of any other implementation.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “anembodiment”, “one example” or “an example” means that a particularfeature, structure or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of thepresent invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”,“in an embodiment”, “one example” or “an example” in various placesthroughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features,structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitablecombinations and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments orexamples. In addition, it is appreciated that the figures providedherewith are for explanation purposes to persons ordinarily skilled inthe art and that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

The flowcharts and block diagrams in the flow diagrams illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowcharts or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s).

What is claimed is:
 1. A flexible lighting system configured to bemounted on a grounded surface of a vehicle, the flexible lighting systemcomprising: a rubber layer that is transparent or translucent andcomprised of flexible polymers acting as an electrical insulator; aplurality of light emitting diodes being embedded within the rubberlayer, the plurality of light emitting diodes being positioned inparallel to each other, the plurality of light emitting diodes beingpositioned between an upper surface of the rubber layer and a lowersurface of the rubber layer; a conductive adhesive backing layer beingcomprised of adhesive and conductive materials, the conductive adhesivebacking layer being positioned directly under the rubber layer; internalwiring positioned in a plurality of rows embedded within the rubberlayer configured to couple the plurality of light emitting diodespositioned in parallel to each other, wherein each of the plurality ofrows of the internal wiring is directly coupled with the conductiveadhesive backing layer through columns of the internal wiring, each ofthe columns of the internal wiring is positioned between adjacent lightemitting diodes on different rows of the internal wiring, wherein eachof the plurality of rows includes at least one of the plurality of lightemitting diodes, wherein each of the light emitting diodes on each ofthe plurality of rows is horizontally and vertically offset from each ofthe light emitting diodes on the others of the plurality of rows, eachof the columns of the internal wiring extending from a plane includingthe light emitting diodes embedded within the rubber layer and into theconductive adhesive backing layer; a power input comprised of a singlewire configured to supply power to the flexible lighting system, whereinthe power input is coupled to the internal wiring on a sidewall of therubber layer.
 2. The flexible lighting system of claim 1, wherein theconductive adhesive backing layer is configured to be directly coupledto a metallic grounded surface of the vehicle.
 3. The flexible lightingsystem of claim 1, wherein the power input is a single wire extendingaway from the flexible lighting system.
 4. The flexible lighting systemof claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the rubber layer is positionedabove upper surfaces of the light emitting diodes, and a lower surfaceof the rubber layer is positioned below lower surfaces of the lightemitting diodes.